2004 BUICK REGAL oil dipstick

Low Oil Level Light
With the oil level
monitoring system the
LOW OIL light will come
on briey when the ignition
is turned on.
If the light does not come on briey, have the low oil
level sensor system checked so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, stop the vehicle on a level surface
and turn the engine off. Check the oil level using the
engine oil dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
The oil level monitoring system only checks the oil level
during the brief period when the key is turned to on
and the engine cranks. It does not monitor the engine
oil level when the engine is running. An oil level check is
only performed if the engine has been turned off for a
considerable period of time, allowing the circulating oil to
drain back into the oil pan.
Change Engine Oil Light
The CHANGE OIL SOON
light should come on
briey as a bulb check
when the engine is started.
If the light does not
come on, have it serviced.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON light comes on and stays on
after the engine is started, have the oil changed.
For additional information, see “When to Change Engine
Oil (GM Oil Life System)” and “How to Reset the
Change OIL SOON Light” underEngine Oil on
page 5-16.
3-39

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-42.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-46.
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeBattery
on page 5-46.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-98.
E. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-32.G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Below Generator).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-40.
H. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-24.
L. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on page 5-43.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-42.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-46.
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal. SeeBattery
on page 5-46.
D. Underhood Electrical Center. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-98.
E. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-32.G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Below Generator).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-40.
H. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-24.
L. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid on page 5-24.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
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Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-16

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, then you will need to add at least one
quart of oil. But you must use the right kind. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil
crankcase capacity, seeCapacities and Specications
on page 5-103.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, your engine could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range in the crosshatched area.
Push the dipstick all the way back in when you are
through.
5-17

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check the automatic transaxle uid level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If the vehicle is not used under any of these conditions,
change the uid and lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the uid
could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust
system parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic – especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F (82°C
to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to
drive longer.
5-24

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle uid to use. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the crosshatched area on the
dipstick. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-12
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than one
pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON
®-III may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use DEXRON
®-III labeled automatic
transaxle uid.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check,” earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If there is a problem
with engine overheating or if more coolant needs to be
added to the radiator, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-29.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-26